2011 Toyota Noah Review

Detailed Review

The Toyota Noah is a Multi-Purpose-Vehicle(MPV) that was introduced to the Japanese market in late 2001. It was developed from the popular Toyota TownAce/LiteAce platform and is largely the same as the Toyota Voxy.

Most people cannot actually tell the difference and it takes a keen eye to pick the differences. Later in this review, we will highlight the technical differences between the Noah and the Voxy in a way that can help a prospective buyer to make an informed decision.

The Toyota Noah has been in production for 4 generations. The first generation was in production from 2000 to 2004. The second generation was in production between 2004 and 2009. The third generation was in production from 2009 to 2018 and the fourth generation has been in production from 2018 to present.

The 2011 Toyota Noah has one-engine option, which is the 2.0L 3ZR engine.  The Noah is only available with an automatic CVT transmission and comes in both 2WD and 4WD options.

Toyota Noah Grades

1. Toyota Noah X –This is the base model that is a 7 to 8 seater. It comes with manual sliding doors, steel rims and rear attached seats. It has the following sub-grades (X, XL, XL Selection, XG)
2. Toyota Noah YY –Same in features as X but a 5 seater
3. Toyota Noah G –This is the Luxury grade model that comes with features such as dual automatic sliding doors, 7 to 8 seats, captain seats, beige interior, alloy rims, and chrome trim.
4. Toyota Noah S –This is the sports version of the Noah with features such as tiptronic, steering shifts, 7 to 8 seats. It has the following sub-grades (S, SG, Si)

Interior Legroom & Space

The 2011 Toyota Noah has a spacious interior that can carry up to 8 passengers and their luggage comfortably. The elevated, upright seats provide for a natural seating position and are comfortable for long-distance driving. At the first row, the driver and passenger are afforded with good legroom and a good view of the road. Both seats are manually or electrically adjustable and even tall people have sufficient legroom. The second and third rows have good legroom as well, with excellent shoulder space.

Overall, the interior space is fantastic. The higher-graded G version is much more luxurious with extra padded seats, a beige interior, and captain seats on the second row.

Cabin Storage

The 2011 Toyota Noah has several storage compartments for storing items such as smartphones, beverages, goggles, handbags, etc. For the 1st row, there are 4 cup-holders, door panel storage, a storage shelf below the dashboard, a glovebox and a center box. For the second row, the only storage is on the front seat jacket pockets. For the third row, there are storage spaces on the side pockets and seat jacket pockets.

Boot Space

The 2011 Toyota Noah boot space is decent and can carry medium-sized luggage such as boxes and suitcases. The second and third row seats can be folded up to create a humongous boot. In this configuration, the Toyota Noah can carry large-sized luggage such as a big fridge, cooker, beds and more.

Other Extras – Double Din Stereo, Navigation(Optional), Reverse Camera, Keyless Entry, picnic seats

Exterior

The 2011 Toyota Noah is a tall, boxy van that closely resembles the Toyota Voxy. The Toyota Noah mostly comes with steel rims but as much as possible we advice that you go for alloy rims. It has got sliding doors on both sides which makes embarking and disembarking an effortless exercise.

2011 Toyota Noah Fuel Consumption

2011 Toyota Noah 2WD Fuel Consumption: 14.2 km/L (On Average)
2011 Toyota Noah 4WD Fuel Consumption: 12.6 km/L (On Average)

2011 Toyota Noah Acceleration :
2010 Toyota Noah accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.6 secs.

2011 Toyota Noah Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 Litres

2010 Toyota Noah Ground Clearance
The Toyota Noah has a ground clearance of 6.4 inches (165mm) when unmodified. This is very low for roads in Kenya and the car will definitely not clear some speed bumps. The Toyota Noah can be mistaken for having a good ground clearance due to its tall height, but this is not the case. For a car of its size and considering its loading capacity, the ground clearance is below average by Kenyan standards. There are ways to increase ground clearance, read our guidelines here on how to safely do this.

2011 Toyota Noah Stability and Handling

The Toyota Noah has a high center of gravity, therefore when driving around sharp corners its advisable to reduce speed and exercise caution. On paved roads, the Noah drives smoothly and accelerates well for its size. Overall, the handling and stability of the 2011 Toyota Noah is considered to be good for a minivan, with a well-balanced ride and comfortable handling. The minivan was also equipped with various safety features, such as anti-lock brakes, traction control, and stability control, which helped to enhance its handling and safety in different driving conditions.

Service and Maintenance Costs
Minor Service(Done after every 5000kms can be done by any reputable petrol station) – Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Engine Oil = Total
Major Service(done after every 20,000kms has to be done by a competent garage)-Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads(If available), ATF Oil, Engine Oil, ATF Filter = Total
Where to Service – see a list of our recommended Garages

Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
The beauty of driving a Toyota in Kenya is that spare parts are relatively cheap and readily available. This is also true for the Toyota Noah. Service parts and suspension parts are readily available. With a monthly budget of about Ksh.6,000/- , you will cover maintenance costs. Body parts such as headlights and side mirrors are somewhat expensive. Used parts generally require negotiations and their prices vary from shop to shop. In Nairobi, most spare shops in Industrial area and Kirinyaga road stock these spare parts. You can get listings for these shops here follow this link

2011 Toyota Noah Reliability

The reliability of the 2011 Toyota Noah minivan depends on various factors, such as maintenance history, driving conditions, and usage. The driving conditions in Kenya are significantly different from those in Japan and Europe. Reliability reviews done for those markets largely do not apply to the Kenyan market.

The first generation Toyota Noah with its 1AZ engine had many reported failures here in Kenya. The experts we interviewed concur that the 1AZ engine was problematic to a large extent. These problems stemmed from bad maintenance and a generally poor assembly. Engine failures were common with the first-generation Toyota Noah but the 3ZR engine addressed these problems in subsequent generations.

Always follow the recommended guidelines as per the Owner’s manual.

Resale Value – Average

Comparable Cars: Nissan Serena, Toyota Voxy, Honda StepWGN, Mitsubishi Delica and Mazda Biante

Cost of Ownership
Purchase Price: From Ksh. 800,000
Comprehensive Insurance: Average Ksh. 38,000/ per annum- Or
3rd Party Insurance: Ksh. 7,000/- per annum
Change of Tyres(If neccessary) Ksh. 20,000/- for 4 Tyres
See Latest Toyota Noah prices here

What we like about the 2011 Toyota Noah

• Spacious interior
• Comfortable for long distance
• Multipurpose vehicle
• Ideal for large families

What we don’t

• Low ground clearance

Toyota Noah Vs Toyota Voxy Comparison
Below we have compiled a list of crucial differences between the Toyota Noah and the Voxy. As we earlier pointed out, there is a major confusion between the two. On the outside, its hard to tell the difference but there are subtle variations in the grille and taillights. Based on our analysis, the Toyota Noah is more superior than the Toyota Voxy. There is no major difference in price between the two in the Kenyan market as they both appear to be equally priced. Below are the differences;

1. The Toyota Noah has more power ( Noah 158Bhp @ 6200rpm Vs Voxy 140Bhp @5600rpm)
   2. The Toyota Noah has more torque (Noah 196Nm @ 4400rpm Vs Voxy 190Nm @3900rpm)
   3. The Toyota Noah has a better gearbox (Noah 5 speed CVT Vs Voxy 4 speed CVT)
   4. The Toyota Voxy is heavier (Noah 2030Kg Vs Voxy 2070kg)
   5. The Toyota Noah is longer (Noah 4630mm Vs Voxy 4595mm)
   6. The Toyota Voxy is taller (Noah 1850mm Vs Voxy 1875mm)
   7. The Toyota Noah is wider (Noah 1720mm Vs Voxy 1695mm)
   8. The Toyota Noah has better ground clearance (Noah 165 mm Vs Voxy 160mm)

Conclusion

The 2011 Toyota Noah is an excellent minivan for medium to large families. It can be configured to carry luggage of all sizes thanks to its humongous interior space, foldable seats and large sliding doors on both sides. If you are looking for an ideal family car the Toyota Noah is what you need.

Where to Buy the 2011 Toyota Noah in Kenya
If you are looking to either import or buy the Toyota Noah locally, we can help you with this process. Over the years, we have developed a network of trusted dealers both in Kenya and Japan who supply us with exceptional cars. Simply call us or send us a message through our contacts below and we’ll get you the right car at the right price.